Chapter 5
The moment the LED screen lit up, Tobias's heavy breathing and Stacey's soft moans filled the banquet hall.
The applause abruptly ceased, and the room fell into an awkward silence.
The guests' smiles froze. Their gazes were a mix of shock, disdain, and disbelief, like countless needles piercing Tobias and Stacey.
Tobias stared at the screen, and his face turned pale and then became a deep, unhealthy red.
His lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a coherent sentence for a long moment. "No... This isn't true! It's doctored! Someone is framing me!"
Stacey panicked as well and instinctively covered her abdomen.
But she tried to maintain composure and tugged at Tobias's sleeve.
She forced a stiff smile toward the guests and said, "Please don't misunderstand us. This must be a prank! Effie, are you too nervous and accidentally playing the wrong video? Turn it off now!"
As she spoke, she venomously glared at me.
But soon, her eyes brimmed with tears. "Effie, I know you've been feeling down lately, but you can't joke about something like this. I'm your best friend, and Tobias is your fiancé. How could we betray you?"
Stacey's words seemed to awaken Tobias, and he suddenly snapped back to reality and tried to maintain an affectionate demeanor. "She's right, Effie. This is a maliciously edited video meant to ruin our wedding. Trust me, I've only ever loved you in my life. How could I be involved with Stacey, who is so mannish?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Stacey with disdain.
It looked more convincing than the video call yesterday evening.
Stacey's eyes briefly flashed with resentment, but she quickly concealed it. "Exactly, Effie, you know Tobias and I don't get along. How could we be together? Besides, why would I do something to hurt you?"
The guests began whispering among themselves. Some of them were skeptical, and others showed contempt.
Several of Tobias's friends stood up to smooth things over.
"That's right. It's definitely a misunderstanding. We know Tobias well, and he loves Effie dearly. How could he betray her? This video is clearly fabricated—way too fake!"
"Exactly, Effie. Don't overthink. Someone must be jealous and created this prank."
Upon hearing those words, Stacey's panic gradually faded, and she subtly lifted her chin.
A hint of smugness flashed in her eyes.
She seemed to be certain that I had no other evidence and that I had to let them deny everything.
She gently caressed her abdomen and said in a more aggrieved tone, "Effie, I know you might not trust me, but I truly haven't betrayed you. Even if I... even if I'm pregnant recently, it's only because I've found true love."
Her words caused an uproar in the room.
She was clearing herself up and even subtly suggested I was petty.
Tobias furrowed his brows and echoed in a heavy tone, "Effie, look at what you've done. You pushed Stacey to say that.
Even if she's pregnant with another guy's baby, it has nothing to do with us. Can't you let it go?"
Their synchronized act made it seem like I was unreasonable and tarnishing their reputation.
A few elders were unaware of the truth and began stopping me. "Effie, don't act impulsively. Since Tobias has said so, it must be a misunderstanding. Turn off the video, and don't make a scene in front of so many people."
I leaned against the stage edge, arms crossed, and gave a cold smile.
The more I watched their smugness, the deeper my hatred grew.
I wanted to see them crash at the peak of their triumph.
Seeing my silence, Tobias was not panicked at all.
He approached me step by step and attempted to hold my hand. "Effie, I'm sorry for the grievances you've suffered. It's all my fault for not foreseeing others' malicious intent. Can you forgive me? Let's continue the wedding and live happily ever after. Alright?"
As his hand was about to touch mine, I stepped back to avoid it.
I said coldly, "Have you finished your words?"
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